Guide
Road or trail? Choosing your running shoe
Road and trail running shoes look similar but are built for very different ground. Knowing where you run most often is the quickest way to narrow down the right pair.
Where do you run?
Road shoes are designed for pavement, tracks and treadmills. They prioritize cushioning and smooth transitions on predictable surfaces.
Trail shoes are designed for dirt, gravel, roots and rock. They add deeper lugs for grip, a more protective upper and a steadier platform for uneven ground.
Cushioning and drop
Cushioning describes how much foam sits under your foot. Higher cushioning feels softer and is popular for daily training and longer runs.
Drop is the height difference between heel and forefoot. A higher drop (around 8–10 mm) can feel familiar if you are used to traditional running shoes; a lower drop (around 4–6 mm) encourages a more midfoot landing.
Grip and protection
On the trail, lug depth matters. Deeper, widely spaced lugs shed mud and bite into loose ground. Shallower lugs feel smoother on hard-packed paths and roads.
Look for a toe cap and a gusseted tongue if you run on rocky or debris-covered trails.
Where NOVA styles fit
The Stride Runner is our road shoe, with a rockered foam midsole, an 8 mm drop and standard or wide widths.
The Ridge Trail is our trail shoe, with 4.5 mm lugs, a rubber toe cap and a 6 mm drop.
Ready to compare styles? browse running.
